Derrick Henry left a lasting legacy on the Alabama football program, winning the 2015 Heisman Trophy and a national championship with the Crimson Tide.
Now a star with the Baltimore Ravens, Henry was coached by the legendary Nick Saban at Alabama. Saban, who recently appeared on The Pivot Podcast with Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor, shared a memorable story about Henry’s early days at Alabama, particularly his struggles with pass protection.
Saban recalled, “Derrick Henry. Alright, so he’s a freshman. We’re doing a team pass drill. And he don’t know his ass from a handful of sand about pass protection, pass blocking, none of this s—. So the coach is—the offensive coordinator is—he doesn’t pick up the right guy or something and the offensive coordinator is getting on him so bad. I’m like, ‘I feel sorry for this guy.
I’m gonna go, you know, rub his neck a little bit.’ And [Henry] looks at me and he says, ‘Coach, I don’t know anything about any of this s—. All they did in high school was turn around and toss me the ball and tell me to run with it. That’s all I know about football. So can you all have a little patience?'”
Saban’s story highlights Henry’s humble beginnings and how even one of the greatest running backs in college football history had to adjust
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 23, 2025
Despite his early struggles, Henry went on to win the Heisman, the Maxwell Award, and a national title—one of six that Saban has claimed at Alabama. This serves as a reminder that even the best players weren’t always perfect at the start.
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Alabama Coach Kalen DeBoer Emerges as Major Winner After 2025 NFL Draft Declarations Heading into Offseason
In a surprising turn of events, Alabama football’s roster depth, which many predicted would take a serious hit following the 2025 NFL draft declarations, has remained remarkably intact. Despite key players like Jalen Milroe and Tyler Booker heading to the draft, the team’s foundation remains solid, and the momentum has not slowed.
According to CBS Sports’ Blake Brockermeyer, while Alabama will certainly feel the loss of talent, the program is fortified enough to continue thriving in the 2025 season. “Alabama loses a significant amount of talent yearly, and 2025 is no different, with quarterback Jalen Milroe, guard Tyler Booker, and linebacker Jihaad Campbell all expected to go high in the draft,” Brockermeyer noted.
However, there’s a silver lining on the defensive side. Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson, both linebackers, as well as defensive linemen Tim Keenan and L.T. Overton, are set to return. In the secondary, Keon Sabb (safety) and Domani Jackson (cornerback) will also be staying put.
Offensively, Alabama is poised to stay competitive, with key returnees like linemen Parker Brailsford and Jaeden Roberts, running back Jam Miller, and receiver Germie Bernard. This strong core will provide a solid foundation for whoever steps in to replace Milroe, whether it’s Austin Mack or Ty Simpson.
Adding even more promise to the situation is Kalen DeBoer’s massive success in the transfer portal, which has reshaped the roster with incredible additions. 247 Sports ranks his transfer class second overall, boasting 43 commits, including six 5-stars, 24 4-stars, and 12 3-stars.
This influx of talent has significantly bolstered the roster and shifted the team’s identity, moving away from the familiar Nick Saban era and towards a more DeBoer-centric future. With his new-look team, DeBoer is positioning Alabama for a potential return to championship contention.
